Prefabricated unit comprising siding and sheathing



May 13, 1941.

w. J. MocAULEY PREFABRICATED UNIT COMPBISING SIDING AND SHEATHING FiledJune- 25, 1938 2. Sheets-Sheet 1 mrs. a.

May 13, 1941- w. J. MccAULEY 2,241,642

PREFABRICATED UNIT COMPRISING SIDING AND SI'IEATHJING Filed June 25,1958 2 Sheets-Sheefl 2 \\g @v `//A \W WJM-a came] FI G. G.

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\ Ratented May 13, 1941 PREFABRICATED UNIT ooMPmslNG smlNG AND SHEATHINGWillis J. McCauley, Chicago, Ill., assgnor to The Celotex Corporation,Chicago, lll., a corporation of Delaware Application June 25, 1938,Serial No. 215,911

This invention relates to a building unit for walls, and comprisescombined sheathing and siding, the invention having for its object toprovide such a unit which will be cheap in manufacturing cost and moreeflicient in use than those heretofore proposed.

With these and other objects in view the invention resides in the noveldetails of construction and combinations of parts as will be disclosedmore fully hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Referring to the accompanying drawings forrn ing a part of thisspecification and in which like numerals designate like parts in all theviews- Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a unit made in accordancewith this invention and shown as applied to framing members or studs ofa wall;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional View of the parts shown in Fig. 1 takenas on the line 2--2 thereof and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view taken as on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1and looking in the direction of the arrow;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view of a single unit to illustrate atreatment thereof; and

Fig. 5 is an end elevational View of a single unit illustrating adiierent treatment of the exposed' surface thereof.

According tothis invention, sheathing and siding are combined in asinglebuilding unit which can be nailed or otherwise secured to the framingmembers such as studding of a wall, and the invention furthercontemplates the application of a plurality of similarly formed units tosuch studding in such manner that portions of one unit will overlapportions of the next adjacent unit to produce closed joints between saidunits. Further, the unit may be provided in suitable widths from top tobottom, and in various lengths of as much as 8' whereby considerabletime may be saved in the erection of a wall with such units.

In addition the sheathing portion of a unit may be preformed, as mayalso the siding portion of the unit, and said portions cemented,adhered, or otherwise secured together to form the complete laminatedunit of sheathing and siding; or, on the other hand, the entire unit maybe formed from a single piece of material and thereby avoid thelamination just above mentioned although, from a manufacturingstandpoint and in the interest of economy, it may be more desirable topreform the sheathing as well (Cl. D20-5) as the siding portions andjoin them together to make the laminated unit.

Regardless of whether the sheathing and siding portions are laminated ornot, the siding portion will be offset relative'to the sheathing portionso as to provide a nailing surface or area on one longitudinal side asWell as on one transverse side of the sheathing portion, which areas maybe covered by the respective opposite longitudinal and transverse sidesof the siding portion of the next adjacent units, whereby all nailing orother means of securement to the studding will ultimately be concealed,and certain edges of a unit will be so formed as to provide interlockingrelation with certain edges of the next adjacent unit.

Referring to the drawings, 2 and 3 respectively indicate generally thesiding portion and the sheathing portion of a unit made according tothis invention, the siding portion having a 1ongitudinal edge or atongue portion 4 and a transverse edge 5 which extend beyondrespectively the longitudinal edge 6 and the transverse edge 'I of theunderlying sheathing portion. Further, the sheathing has a longitudinaledge B and a transverse edge 9 which extend beyond respectively thelongitudinal edge I0 and the transverse edge II of the overlying sidingportion. All of the longitudinal edges of the sheathing portion and thesiding portion are substantially parallel to each other, as are also allof the transverse edges of said portion, the entire unit beingsubstantially rectangular.

The longitudinal upper edge 4 of the siding portion is shown completelybevelled in Fig. 4, the plane of the bevel being-such as to make anobtuse angle with the plane of the exposed face I5 of the sidingportion, and the opposite or bottom longitudinal edge I0 thereof isprovided with a mortise or undercut rabbet I2 to provide a bottom edgelip I3 substantially parallelly spaced from the front face I4 of theunderlying sheathing portion, said mortise or rabbet adapted" to receivetherein the upper longitudinal edge of the siding portion of the nextadjacent unit, all as clearly indicated in Fig. 3.

The upper longitudinal edge 6 of the sheathmg portion is showncompletely bevelled in Fig. 4 so that the plane of said bevel makes anacute angle with the plane of the rear surface I6 of the extending upperedge of the overl 'n sidin portion. The bottom longitudinal edgyl ilg ofthi sheathing portion is shown completely and similarly bevelled so thatthe plane of the bevel makes an acute angle with the plane of the frontface I4 of the sheathing portion. Thus it will be understood that whentwo adjacent units are intertted with each other as shown in Fig. 3 thelower edge I!v of the sheathing portion of one unit will t and interlockin the angle formed by the upper edge 6 and the rear surface IB of theadjacent unit, and that the tongue edge portion of the lower unit willfit within the rabbet I2 of the unit thereabove.

This interlocking horizontal joint between two adjacent units isimportant since it provides a. means for preventing displacement of theadjoining longitudinal edges of the adjacent units between the studssuch as II. In other words, the usual practice in building constructionis to space the studs on 16" centerings whereby there is a relativelyconsiderable span between two adjacent studs which is bridged by theunits forming the subject matter of this invention and, since the unitsconstitute the exposed portion of the wall, said units are subjected tothe elements such as wind and weather, whereby said units might have atendency to ex or warp in the span between the studs. Therefore, unlessthe longitudinal edges of the adjacent tiers or courses were interlockedwith each other, there might result a separation therebetween -todisrupt the continuity of the wall and allow the elements to enter andpass through the longitudinal joints.

As shown in Fig. 2, the transverse edges of the sheathing portion ofeach unit are similarly bevelled to provide a similar interlockingeffect in the vertical joint between two adjacent units. The lengths ofthe units are made such as to be equal to the spacing of the studs, orequal to a multiple thereof so that the transverse or vertical jointsbetween adjacent units are caused to lle upon a stud as clearlyindicated in the drawings, the transverse dimension of a unit being madeas desired. The transverse edges of the siding portion of each unit maylikewise be bevelled though this is not necessary since a rectangularedge as shown in Fig. 2 may be sufficient in view of the fact that thesaid transverse edges need only have abutting relation with each otherbecause the joint formed by said edges overlies a solid portion of thesheathing therebeneath.

The outer exposed surface I of the siding portion of the unit ispreferably in a plane which is oblique to the plane of the rear surfaceI8 of the sheathing portion, to give the usual appearance of siding tothe wall when completed, but obviously said front surface could beformed parallel to said rear surface in which case the upperlongitudinal edge of the siding portion would have a tonguecomplementally formed for intertting with the rabbet I2 of the lowerlongitudinal edge of the next adjacent unit. The bevelled edge 4, asshown in the drawings, makes possible an easier application of one unitto the next adjacent unit and, further, provides drainage for any rainthat might be blown or capillarily creep up into the rabbet such as I2in a horizontal joint.

In applying the units to the studding, nails such as indicated at I9 aredriven through the projecting nailing areas of the sheathing portioninto the studs, and then the next adjacent units are applied so that theprojecting portions of the siding of the next adjacent units willoverlie the nailing areas of the units that have been secured to thestuds, thereby concealing the nails and protecting the heads thereoffrom the weather.

The units may be variably formed. In other words they may be fashionedas shown in the drawings and described hereinbefore, or they may bemodified somewhat while still incorporating and retaining the generalsalient principles of the invention. For example, the longitudinal edgesof the sheathing portion instead of being bevelled may be provided withtongue and groove formations or other contours which, however, willprovide the interlocking relationship above referred to in thehorizontal joints between the units, and the transverse edges of thesheathing portion may be similarly or otherwise suitably modified. Inlike manner, the longitudinal and transverse edges of the siding portionmay have various formations while still adapted to perform theintertting and interlocking relationship desired.

Further, the material from which the unit is formed may be of variouskinds. The sheathing portion may be of a material different from thematerial of the siding portion whereby, for example, it would bepossible to have the sheathing portion made of a material particularlysuitable as an insulation of temperature and noise, and the sidingportion could be of a material particularly adapted to resist Weather,in which case the sheathing portion would preferably be laminated withthe siding portion. On the other hand, the sheathing and siding could beof the same material and/or formed as one piece, the siding portionbeing treated in a manner different from the sheathing portion; as anillustration it may be mentioned that the unit as a whole might beformed of fibrous material with the siding portion surface-treatedand/or impregnated to make it highly resistant to weather while leavingthe sheathing portion in its original fibrous condition as well suitedfor insulation against temperature and noise. The preferred material isCelotex cane fiber insulating board because of its light weight, highinsulating value, and adaptability of receiving most any treatment andfinish.

In Fig. 4 there has been illustrated a construc- .tion indicated aslaminated (though it need not be laminated) wherein the unit has beendipped or submerged in a solution which has penetrated or impregnatedthe material of the unit, as indicated by the stippling, to providecomplete saturation or impregnation of the siding portion along itslongitudinal and transverse edges in order to stiften the same as wellas to protect the exposed surfaces thereof, but leaving the central parto1' core 20 of the unit unsaturated and/or unimpregnated in order not toimpair the insulating quality of the unit. As an example of such asolution there may be mentioned hot asphalt or other bituminoussubstance which not only stilens the treated parts of the unit butadditionally renders them waterproof or moisture repellant. On the otherhand coatings of paint or other substance may be applied to some or allof the surfaces of a unit, and in Fig. 5 there has been illustrated acoating 2| of nely divided material such as sand, slag, mica or othersuitable grit-like finishing material, which coating has been appliedonly to thatportion of the siding which will be exposed to view or tothe elements, said coating being adhered in any suitable manner to thematerial of the unit.

It is obvious that those skilled in the art may vary the details ofconstruction and arrangements of parts without departing from the spiritof this invention and therefore it is desired not of the siding portion,withthe longitudinal edges to be limited to the exact foregoingdisclosure except as may be required by the claims.

What is claimed is:

l. A buildinglunit for walls comprising combined sheathing and siding,the siding offset in such manner .as to provide a longitudinal as wellas a transverse nailing portion on the sheathing adapted to be coveredby complementally offset portions of the siding of a similarly formedadjoining unit in the building of the Wall, complementa] means formed onthe top and bottom edges of the sheathing cooperating with interflttingtongue and groove lconstruction of the siding for interlocking thebottom and top edges of the adjoining units, and complemental meansformed on the two vertical side edges of the sheathing for interttingrelation with the vertical side edges of the adjoining units.

2. A substantially rectangular building unit for Walls comprisingcombined sheathing and siding, the siding portion of the unit extendingbeyond one longitudinal edge as Well as beyond one transverse edge ofthe sheathing portion, and the sheathing portion of the unit having itsother edges extending beyond the corresponding edges of the sidingportion, with the longitudinal edges of the sheathing portion formed forinter- Wedging engagement with the corresponding longitudinal edges ofthe sheathing portion of a similar adjacent unit in the building of thewall, and a recess formed in one longitudinal edge of the siding portionto receive therein the oppositely disposed longitudinal edge ofthe'siding portion of the adjacent unit.

3. A substantially rectangular building unit for walls comprisingcombined sheathing and siding, the siding portion of the unit extendingbeyond one longitudinal edge as well as beyond one transverse edge ofthe sheathing portion, and the sheathing portion of the unit having itsother edges extending beyond the corresponding edges of the sidingportion, with the edges of the sheathing portion formed for wedgingengagement with the corresponding edges of the sheathing portion of asimilar adjacent unit in the building of the wall, the longitudinaledges of the siding portion formed for intertting engagement and adaptedin combination to interlockingly and wedgingly engage through theWedglng eifect of the aforesaid wedging engagement of the longitudinaledges of the sheathing portion of the unit,

4. n substantially rectangular building unit for walls comprisingcombined sheathing and siding, the siding. portionof the unit extendingbe yond one longitudinal edge as well as beyond one transverse edge ofthe sheathing portion, and the sheathing portion of the unit having itsother edges extending beyond the corresponding edges of the sidingportion, with the longitudinal edges of the sheathing portion formed forwedgingly interntting with the corresponding longitudinal edges of thesheathing portion of a similar adjacent unit in the building of theWall, the siding portion having one longitudinal edge thicker than itsopposite longitudinal edge and provided With a recess to receivethereinthe thinner longitudinal edge of the siding portion of the adjacenti'mt. e

5. A substantially rectangular building unit for walls comprisingcombined sheathing and siding, the siding portion of the unit extendingbeyond one longitudinal edge as well as beyond one transverse edge ofthe sheathing portion, and the sheathing portion of the unit having itsother of the sheathing portion formed for wedging engagement with thecorresponding longitudinal Vedges of the sheathing portion of a similaradjacent unit in the building of the wall, the siding portionprogressively increasing in thickness from one longitudinal edge to theother and having in its thicker edge a recess to receive therein thethinner longitudinaledge of the siding poredges extending beyond thecorresponding edges tion of the adjacent unit.

6. An article of manufacture comprising a substantiai'lly rectangularbuilding unit for walls comprising a unitary combined sheathing andsiding product, the siding portion thereof extending beyond onelongitudinal edge and beyond one transverse edge of the sheathingportion, the sheathing portion having its other edges extending beyondthe corresponding edges of the siding portion, the longitudinal edges ofthe sheathing portion formed for intertting engagement with thecorresponding longitudinal edges of the sheathing portion of a similaradjacent unit in the building of4 a wall, the siding portion having onelongitudinal edge thickerthan its opposite longitudinal edge andprovided with a recess to receive therein the thinner longitudinal edgeof the siding portion of the adjacent unit, the thinner longitudinaledge of the siding portion of a unit and the lip which defines in partthe recess in the siding portion, each saturated throughout with plasticto strengthen and rigidify the same.

7'. As an article of manufacture, wall surface forming units composed of:ber insulating board each comprising a sheathing forming. portion and asiding forming portion, the sheathing and siding forming portions offsetdiagonally one with respect to the other, the offset of the sheathingand siding forming portions providing compleinenting ship-lapconstruction along a pair ofv the opposite edges of the unit, the recessof the ship-lap edge construction relieved at its base inwardly, fromthe back of the sheathing portion to the back of the tongue of theship-lap construction, the complementing tongue complementally formed,the other opposite pair of edges of the unit having complementinginterfitting tongue and groove construction and the entire articlecoated with a Weather-resistant material, a groove forming lip and atongue portion of the construction completely saturated with asphaltreinforcing and rigidifying the suc tongue and lip constructions.

8. A substantially rectangular building unit for walls comprisingcombined sheathing and siding, the siding portion of the unit extendingbeyond one longitudinal edge as well as beyond one transverse edge ofthe sheathing portion, the sheathing portion of the unit having itsother edges extending beyond the corresponding edges of the sidingportion, the longitudinal edges of the sheathing portion formed forinterwedging engagement with the corresponding longitudinal edges of thesheathing portion of the similar adjacent unit in the building of thewall, the siding portion having one longitudinal edge thicker than itsopposite longitudinal edge andv provided with a recess to receivetherein the thinner longitudinal edge of the siding portion of theadjacent unit, the entire surface area of the unit saturated with aweather-resistant material, the thinner longitudinal edge of the sidingportion and the lip portion in part dening the said recess completelysaturated with a strengthening and rigidifying substance, and thatportion of the unit adapted to be exposed carry-lng on its sur= race awater and weather-resistant surface covvering.

9. In a building construction, wall support members and a plurality ofwall forming units mounted thereon, the wall forming units each .5

comprising'a siding portion and sheathing portion, the siding portion ofa'unit extending beyond one longitudinal edge as well as beyond onetransverse edge of the sheathing portion, the

sheathing portion having its other edges ex;- l0

tending beyond the lcorresponding edges of the siding portion,complementing edges of the sheathing portion relieved and interlockinglyeng'aging edges of adjacent units, the siding portion

